Dog park

Escape is an obsession that has haunted the novel's protagonist since early childhood. Through a series of interwoven events, she seeks to flee her small, monotonous town and forget her father's past and his mistakes. Years later, she embarks on a new escape after being accused of murdering her best friend under mysterious and ambiguous circumstances. This is the story of the rise and fall of a woman who began her career as a model and a rising star in the world of IVF, only to end up as a maid in the homes of the wealthy after losing so much. A woman haunted by fear at every moment, forced into a sudden and protracted flight. Between Helsinki in 2016, cities of the former Soviet Union, and small towns in Ukraine, author Sophie Oksanen sheds light on the hidden world of IVF, which has transformed into a massive and ruthless industry. It opens a door through which we glimpse other worlds: the Russian mafia, politics, the heroin trade, murders, and the exploitation of the health and naivety of girls aspiring to a better future.